Researched and written by Engineering and Construction expert, Steve Howard, and published by Rawlinsons (W.A.), Australia’s oldest Quantity Surveying firm, Rawlinsons Process Engineering Handbook is an ideal reference for all involved in oil and gas, mining and process engineering.
Developed as an aid to the experienced estimator, or project manager, and a learning resource to the inexperienced estimator, this book provides project and construction management data as well as installation, fabrication methods and theory, thereby assisting those already in the know and providing a higher level of understanding.
Editor, Steve Howard, has over 30 years of experience on Australian and International mine sites and is arguably an expert in his field. The collaboration between Mr. Howard and Rawlinsons (W.A.) was created in 2003 whilst Mr. Howard was heavily involved in construction arbitration cases with a legal firm and was required to use published data to develop comparative or market costs for contracts or work in dispute.
At that time the only available published data associated with mine process works was through documents published in the United States of America. This data required conversion calculations from imperial to metric measurements and explanations associated with their use to justify and show an audit trail.
Rawlinsons (W.A.) were the expert witnesses in the case, and, seeing an opportunity to satisfy a need in the Australian Mining and Engineering industry, Mr. Howard approached the Director at the time, Mr. Paul McEvoy, to develop and publish a reference book which represented the metric system and focused on mining, oil and gas and infrastructure.
The Process Engineering Handbook is now in its 2nd Edition, which contains more in depth detail than the 1st, developed from user and industry professional feedback.
Mr. Howard explained to me how he researched and compiled the information for Edition 2.
“The first edition was primarily about hours and time associated with installation and construction with some references to methods of construction. After discussions with some of the users of the book there was a requirement for more detailed installation explanations breaking down both the methodology and hours enabling the estimators to show a high level of detail to support their estimation. I researched the data I had and drew on many years in the field installing or managing the installation of the components detailed. This was compiled into a book that provided a more defined installation and cost method giving better backup for planning and scheduling projects.”
Mr. Howard continued, “This went on to include a range of statistical methods of estimating, a more usable system of factoring an early stage project, using known statistics and enabling a detailed breakup of a project whilst only getting a small amount of factual data such as equipment lists. While factoring is commonplace there were very confusing and contradictory data sets available. The intent was to simplify while add a better level of detail to a factored estimate”, concludes Mr. Howard.
Rawlinsons Process Engineering Handbook is utilised by engineering companies and major mining groups that use it primarily for early stage high level capital costs where engineering and design is at a low level. The publication also contains a level of detail which allows fabrication companies to develop estimates that can be translated into schedules for construction due to the time and cost related estimates.
With such a large amount of data in Edition 2, I sought the opinion of Mr Howard as to the ‘hero’ aspects of the publication, what he considers the most beneficial content.
“I receive the most feedback on the Factoring and Parametric estimate section on pages 34 through 40, with many expressing this section has helped them to avoid troublesome situations where they are expected to provide answers to engineering groups or clients while having a small amount of available or tangible data”, explains Mr.Howard.
“The most questions come from the piping section where the book breaks down the tasks involved in fabricating and installing pipework to a very detailed level and how this then translates to the consolidated tables for the same work type. While people like to show detail,they also need to explain the complexity behind a rolled-up cost if required.”
“My favorite chapters are the mechanical installation, Pipelines and Plastics as this is my background, which is evident in the detail”, Mr. Howard divulges.
With engineers and construction professionals generally originating from a single discipline background with many then branching out,there are so many idiosyncrasies that are associated with the other disciplines that it hard to know them all. Rawlinsons Process Engineering Handbook aims to give as much usable detail as it can, enabling a level of understanding that allows people to traverse and understand other disciplines easier without being an expert.
To find out more about the Rawlinsons Process Engineering Handbook, or, purchase your own copy, head over to Rawlinsons Publishing website or call 08 9424 5800.
